Skip to main content

Porsche turns up the power on the 918 hybrid, taking on McLaren and Ferrari

Porsche 918 Spyder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We’ve been giddy about the 918 for a while now, as it is a combination of everything we’re passionate about: tech and speed.

The Porsche 918 plug-in hybrid supercar was the one that set the stage for the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari but was quickly upstaged by the dynamic duo – each putting power in excess of 900 horses to the pavement.

Recommended Videos

As far as we knew, the 918, which has had a long road to final production, was pegged at 795 horsepower. According to a fellow who pre-ordered one, however, and has visited the Porsche Development Center, the power could be in excess of 875 horsepower for production.

Posting on TeamSpeed, the buyer says the production 918 will be lighter weight and faster than previously announced, capable of rounding the Nurburgring in less than seven minutes.

At the end of his post, the author reveals that he has ordered all three hybrid supercars: 918, P1, and LaFerrari. He uses these bragging rights to emphasize his unbiased look at the 918.

The 918 – even if the extra power rumors aren’t true – is an amazing beast. It’ll go 93 miles on its electric batteries alone and also hit break-neck speeds. With an open top roof and four-wheel steering, it seems the 918 might be the ultimate supercar.

The 918 is expected to make its official production debut in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. We’re hoping we’ll know more as the event approaches so stay tuned for more.

Nick Jaynes
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Tesla and Elon Musk sued over use of AI image at Cybercab event
tesla and spacex CEO elon musk stylized image

Tesla’s recent We, Robot presentation has run into trouble, with one of the production companies behind Blade Runner 2049 suing Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, for alleged copyright infringement.

Tesla used the glitzy October 10 event to unveil its Cybercab and Robovan, and also to showcase the latest version of its Optimus humanoid robot.

Read more
Qualcomm wants to power your next car with the Snapdragon Cockpit and Ride Elite platforms
Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Ride Elite automotive platforms

It’s been a big year for Qualcomm. Alongside its massive launch into laptop chips through the Snapdragon X Elite series, Qualcomm is now entering the automotive space. The company has announced the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Cockpit Elite and Snapdragon Ride Elite platforms at its annual Snapdragon Summit, which it flew me out to attend.

The two platforms are designed for different purposes, and can be used togetheror separately. The Snapdragon Cockpit Elite is built for in-vehicle infotainment systems and services, while the Snapdragon Ride Elite is built to power autonomous vehicle systems, including all the cameras and sensors that go into those systems.

Read more
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra forge a new path for EVs
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra.

Electric vehicles are inseparable from newness, whether it’s new tech, new designs, or new companies like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. But the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-only brand also relies heavily on the past.

Unveiled Thursday, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and Scout Terra electric pickup truck are modern interpretations of the classic International Harvester Scout. Manufactured from 1961 to 1980, the original Scout helped popularize the idea of the rugged, off-road-capable utility vehicle, setting the stage for modern SUVs.

Read more